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Mental Health Support Society XVIII

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Original post by eden3
Oh my God. This almost literally describes my situation 100%. Except I have been feeling like this for much more than a month.

I'm sorry you're struggling so much. If I were you I'd go see a GP when your academic year finishes (i.e. when you're back home), only because it's nearly the end of the year.


Thank you for your support. This is definitely the worst I've felt. I often have feelings of isolation and have very much felt like my life has been going in a downward spiral since I left secondary school. I have struggled with my mood for a long time but have mostly managed to push through it because I've had other commitments. I feel like this is the first time it has gotten me to the extent that I can't function normally (except a couple of instances where I got so stressed to the extent that I was forced to stay at home a couple of years ago).

The thing is is that while the university year is ending in a couple of weeks, I am still here for another month (for practical reasons concerning moving my stuff into my house for next year). In this case, do you think it's worth trying to contact my GP or at least trying to talk to a wellbeing officer? The problem is I'm not sure how available they are and I'm worried I might make myself look stupid asking for someone even though my exams are over.

I also hope you get the support you need as well. Have you made an appointment with your GP? I think I always hesitated on making an appointment or going through with any counselling because I thought I'd be wasting their time and taking time from people who are worse off than me, but I think it's important you and I try to get this seen to before it develops into something worse.
Original post by Anonymous
Hi there, making this post as a lovely anon until I feel comfortable enough to post with my actual username.

So I have struggled with a very very low self esteem since my early teens to the extent that I would refuse to go out most of the time because I thought I was ugly and that people would be judging my appearance very harshly. When I did go out I was forced out by my mum who insisted I was being selfish and making excuses to not spend time with her.

I'm now 19 and at university and I am slightly better. I still don't consider myself attractive but I do manage to go out and do things by myself. However, for these past few weeks (close to a month, actually) I have been feeling extremely low. There have been points when I genuinely feel people don't care about me (except some close family members)- my attempts to talk to my friends through Facebook are mainly met with silence or very short responses and I have felt very isolated. My mood is usually up and down, but this is one of the worst episodes I've had in a while. I've lost the motivation to do normal day-to-day tasks, been sleeping until 4/5pm for most days (except when I've had exams), not had the energy to cook and so have been barely eating. This has obviously had a huge knock on effect on my energy levels- I even get tired sitting at my desk for a couple of hours and feel the need to nap even after sleeping the day away.

Today I managed to get some stuff done and went out to get proper food in an attempt to try and get my energy levels back up, but I am completely exhausted from it. I feel physically weighed down and almost ill. If anyone has had a similar experience to me, what would you suggest I do? I think I'd like to make an appointment at the GP so we can discuss this, but I also feel like I need to contact a wellbeing officer at my university, but since it's pretty much the end of the year and exams are over I'm not sure how available they are. What would you suggest I do in this situation?

Sorry for the long long post but I would really appreciate some advice.


Ah another anon! #20

I'm very sorry to hear about your situation! I myself feel similar to you and often feel like I'm being judged.
What you got to remember is that you're really good looking and no one can say otherwise!!
Try and think about things you like as opposed to what you do now.
I'm glad to hear that you're able to go out and do things now! That's a massive step forward for you! Shows how strong and determined you are!

I'm not sure what to say about the lack of energy tbh. I've not experienced that before!
I would book an appointment with your gp and see what they say about the situation. They will be able to help you as much as they can!

Hope youre well!
Original post by Anonymous
Thank you for your support. This is definitely the worst I've felt. I often have feelings of isolation and have very much felt like my life has been going in a downward spiral since I left secondary school. I have struggled with my mood for a long time but have mostly managed to push through it because I've had other commitments. I feel like this is the first time it has gotten me to the extent that I can't function normally (except a couple of instances where I got so stressed to the extent that I was forced to stay at home a couple of years ago).

The thing is is that while the university year is ending in a couple of weeks, I am still here for another month (for practical reasons concerning moving my stuff into my house for next year). In this case, do you think it's worth trying to contact my GP or at least trying to talk to a wellbeing officer? The problem is I'm not sure how available they are and I'm worried I might make myself look stupid asking for someone even though my exams are over.

I also hope you get the support you need as well. Have you made an appointment with your GP? I think I always hesitated on making an appointment or going through with any counselling because I thought I'd be wasting their time and taking time from people who are worse off than me, but I think it's important you and I try to get this seen to before it develops into something worse.

I can relate to your situation so much. Since you have to stay an extra month, there is no harm in seeing a GP IMO. Don't be afraid of judgement - they won't think you're stupid just because exams are over. Depression hits anyone at any time. You may be able to start treatment early if you choose to see a GP now, e.g. medication or make plans for therapy. And don't ever think that people have it worse than you - mental illnesses are equally as valid and dangerous as physical ones. Health professionals realise this, and have dealt with many students like us.

Personally I have been stuggling since high school and university has made things worse. I haven't gone to see a GP because of my anxiety, and I have nobody to talk to (can't talk to family, & have no close friends).

If you ever want to PM me, you are more than welcome, and I promise not to reveal your identity to anyone if you choose to do so.

Take care :smile:
I was right, I did end up having a major panic attack. It woke me up at 2am and I ended up having really bad cramps and nausea from it. Nearly an hour on from it and I'm still a bit shaky. Panics that wake you up are a whole other level of panic. You've got no guard to fight them or accept them, you're totally helpless :cry2:

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Original post by eden3
I can relate to your situation so much. Since you have to stay an extra month, there is no harm in seeing a GP IMO. Don't be afraid of judgement - they won't think you're stupid just because exams are over. Depression hits anyone at any time. You may be able to start treatment early if you choose to see a GP now, e.g. medication or make plans for therapy. And don't ever think that people have it worse than you - mental illnesses are equally as valid and dangerous as physical ones. Health professionals realise this, and have dealt with many students like us.

Personally I have been stuggling since high school and university has made things worse. I haven't gone to see a GP because of my anxiety, and I have nobody to talk to (can't talk to family, & have no close friends).

If you ever want to PM me, you are more than welcome, and I promise not to reveal your identity to anyone if you choose to do so.

Take care :smile:


Thank you very much. I may PM you at some point. I've been to see the doctor before about my anxiety and they ended up giving me some beta blockers to help with the physical symptoms and to help calm me down in stressful situations, but I had to stop taking them since after taking them I felt more breathless than usual and had asthma when I was younger. The GP also said they would get in contact with a counsellor but I never heard from them about it.

I think if you are really struggling you should see a GP about it, especially if you've been feeling the way I do for well over a month. I think there is only so much trying to push through it you can do before it becomes unbearable. If I'm interpreting your sentence correctly I think you're saying that you get anxious going to the doctor? I also get anxious seeing the doctor (even talking on the phone to make an appointment requires me to psych myself up) but I think that dealing with the initial anxiety is much more preferable to trying to deal with these feelings on your own.

I ended up emailing my college advisor team to see if anyone is available to talk to. I think I am desperate enough that I want to at least try even if no one is available and I asked them to direct me to someone if they cannot get anyone to see me.
Original post by Spock's Socks
I was right, I did end up having a major panic attack. It woke me up at 2am and I ended up having really bad cramps and nausea from it. Nearly an hour on from it and I'm still a bit shaky. Panics that wake you up are a whole other level of panic. You've got no guard to fight them or accept them, you're totally helpless :cry2:

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I'm sorry to hear you're struggling from having a panic attack. I don't have any experience with panic attacks so I'm not sure how effective these words will be but regardless I hope you manage to calm down and feel better soon.
Original post by Spock's Socks
Has anyone ever been referred to a psychologist? As you know I've been referred to a psychologist instead of another CBT therapist after everything that happened with the last therapist and I'm just unsure of what to expect when seeing a psychologist. Will I be likely to get more CBT/ERP therapy or will it be more of a talking based approach? I should have asked the GP this yesterday but my mind goes blank when I am in front of someone in authority like a doctor :colondollar:


Yeah, I got referred to a psychologist who specialised in complex trauma. She was useless and had no idea what to do with me because I was apparently "too complex and severe" for her to treat, so yeah. I dunno. Maybe they might be more helpful in your case. Good luck. (I had stabilisation therapy in preparation for trauma focussed CBT, they tend to only do therapies that have a lot of backing behind them. Talk based approaches tend to be in the private sector.)

RE night time panic attacks: they're bloody awful. I have them a lot at night because I mostly only seem to have nightmares (thanks PTSD?). Hope you're feeling better now.

Original post by Anonymous
Thank you very much. I may PM you at some point. I've been to see the doctor before about my anxiety and they ended up giving me some beta blockers to help with the physical symptoms and to help calm me down in stressful situations, but I had to stop taking them since after taking them I felt more breathless than usual and had asthma when I was younger. The GP also said they would get in contact with a counsellor but I never heard from them about it.

I think if you are really struggling you should see a GP about it, especially if you've been feeling the way I do for well over a month. I think there is only so much trying to push through it you can do before it becomes unbearable. If I'm interpreting your sentence correctly I think you're saying that you get anxious going to the doctor? I also get anxious seeing the doctor (even talking on the phone to make an appointment requires me to psych myself up) but I think that dealing with the initial anxiety is much more preferable to trying to deal with these feelings on your own.

I ended up emailing my college advisor team to see if anyone is available to talk to. I think I am desperate enough that I want to at least try even if no one is available and I asked them to direct me to someone if they cannot get anyone to see me.


Good to hear that you've emailed your adviser, I would suggest that you go and talk to someone in wellbeing, they're usually on campus all year, just during the summer/other holidays their numbers may be lower. It is worth a try. And seeing your GP would be good too.


----------------

Sorry I've been absent guys. Thinking of all of you. Feel pretty ****ing bad, but what's new? Dissociation is a lot more intense lately too, keep forgetting where I am, the day, the date, my name, age. You name it. Pain in the arse. :facepalm: Guess it's better than being present though. Meh. Struggling a lot with the voices too but kinda given up on getting help for it as literally no one listens to me. Slept about 5 hours in the last 5 days, that's great. :sigh:
ED TW

Spoiler

Really struggling with the fact it's almost a year since one of my best friends passed away too, and will have to move back home at the end of the month. Just hate everything.

Sorry for the rant.
(edited 7 years ago)
Never realised how alone I was until now. Suppose it's for the better really, no one gives a **** anyway.
Original post by Pathway
Yeah, I got referred to a psychologist who specialised in complex trauma. She was useless and had no idea what to do with me because I was apparently "too complex and severe" for her to treat, so yeah. I dunno. Maybe they might be more helpful in your case. Good luck. (I had stabilisation therapy in preparation for trauma focussed CBT, they tend to only do therapies that have a lot of backing behind them. Talk based approaches tend to be in the private sector.)

RE night time panic attacks: they're bloody awful. I have them a lot at night because I mostly only seem to have nightmares (thanks PTSD?). Hope you're feeling better now.


Thanks for the info :smile: Funny enough, CPTSD is another reason why I'm getting referred to a psychologist as well as OCD and everything else because the therapist said CBT wouldn't be enough for me and she was more used to treating general anxiety and depression. Thanks, I'll keep you guys updated with everything. The doctor said I won't wait long to hear back with an appointment but I won't hold my breath :frown:

Thanks, yeah I'm feeling better now. Hope you're doing OK :hugs: :hugs:

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Original post by Anonymous
I'm sorry to hear you're struggling from having a panic attack. I don't have any experience with panic attacks so I'm not sure how effective these words will be but regardless I hope you manage to calm down and feel better soon.


Thank you :hugs:

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Original post by FireFreezer77
It sure does! I really don't want to do it! It's gonna be a waste of time like the one I had the other day!
Not really. They said they can do it but I wouldn't see someone for over a year! I can't wait that long!
And apparently the NHS doesn't have any psychologists!
So I'm gonna have to go private again!
Yes I'm on 50mg of Sertraline

I don't even know what on earth that is! Analyzing dreams? Sounds ****!
I don't blame you for thinking that tbh!
What's the Oedipus Complex?

Apologies for the late response. Not had a great day today


The NHS have psychologists. My own nhs psychiatrist is a trained psychologist.

Waiting lists that long are quite normal. I'm still waiting myself. I don't know how long I will be either. I suggest taking the group therapy for now as you've only had one suggestion of it. It might improve. But if you think individual therapy would also help, get on the waiting list now.
Original post by Airmed
The NHS have psychologists. My own nhs psychiatrist is a trained psychologist.

Waiting lists that long are quite normal. I'm still waiting myself. I don't know how long I will be either. I suggest taking the group therapy for now as you've only had one suggestion of it. It might improve. But if you think individual therapy would also help, get on the waiting list now.


That's what my gp said! But I had a group appointment last week and they said the NHS doesn't have any psychologists!
Ah well now I'm even more angry with them!
But I hope things will go well for you!

My gp said to phone them directly because I would get in quicker, but I guess not!
I've got no choice than to go, I can't have individual therapy if I don't (they will discharge me again if I don't go!). I feel it's just gonna be a waste of time like the other one!
That's what I'm trying to do but they won't listen to me!!
I might just go private and actually get seen by someone!
I'm so frustrated!
Original post by FireFreezer77
That's what my gp said! But I had a group appointment last week and they said the NHS doesn't have any psychologists!
Ah well now I'm even more angry with them!
But I hope things will go well for you!

My gp said to phone them directly because I would get in quicker, but I guess not!
I've got no choice than to go, I can't have individual therapy if I don't (they will discharge me again if I don't go!). I feel it's just gonna be a waste of time like the other one!
That's what I'm trying to do but they won't listen to me!!
I might just go private and actually get seen by someone!
I'm so frustrated!


They might have meant that they have none available. But you have a chance, you are so lucky to be even in group therapy when others are on the waiting lists for such things. Don't let past experiences of it taint you, you should go in with an open mind and remember the end goal: to get better.
Original post by Airmed
They might have meant that they have none available. But you have a chance, you are so lucky to be even in group therapy when others are on the waiting lists for such things. Don't let past experiences of it taint you, you should go in with an open mind and remember the end goal: to get better.


Well it would be better than not having any.
I guess so, yeah thats very true, the waiting lists are horrendous!!!
Well i just wasnt useful at all, and i fell ill during it too :frown:
Yes that is the best thing to focus on!
Thankyou!
Have so much on my mind..
~Anon 1
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
Dunno if I count as a 'regular' but I've not been posting in here tbh because I ended up getting wound up by the posters who were coming in here and slating the Soc and saying how they don't get replies and how it's all cliquey. Not that I think they were wrong in what they said - they were very fair points.. but it led me to overcompensate and try and reply loads of people so that people don't get left out, but ultimately that's unsustainable and led to burn out.

I find the whole Anon thing very confusing to keep up with. I have no idea which Anon is which and what their issues are and subsequently feel unable to reply to them because I feel I should know the 'back story' but I don't :getmecoat: Not that we should get rid of the Anon function - it's an important one to have. Just adding my tuppence about finding it confusing. It's inevitably going to be confusing (especially when a new thread starts and all anons are renumbered) for people who have impaired mental function :sadnod:


Of course you count as a regular! (I haven't forgotten about the blog thing either - I'll give it a look tonight and see what the other guys in the PSV team think too :redface:)

Thankfully I've not seen too many anon posters do that recently? (Though I could be completely blind) and the society doesn't 'feel' as cliquey as it did? - though I think the latter is almost inevitable in a thread like this where friendships build over time. It's just finding a way to get these friendships to not be perceived as negative things :redface: Burn out is definitely not a good idea! I think you and I are both guilty of that at times :tongue:

Hopefully the idea of the anon posters ending their posts with anonymous name they've created themselves will help with whole trying to keep track of who they are a little bit, whilst still enabling them to post completely anonymously if they don't want to end posts with 'anonymous name' :smile:

Original post by Anonymous
Thanks, but I'm still in that awful zone. Took a shower but didn't help!
I'll try to keep the guidelines in mind but it's very likely that I'll mess up again so thanks for your patience in advance... :redface:
Wishing you a good night

Anxious Anon


Honestly it's okay :redface: You're aware of them and you've said you'll try and keep them in mind which is what matters ^^ Hope you're feeling abit better today :smile:

Original post by FireFreezer77
Well it would be better than not having any.
I guess so, yeah thats very true, the waiting lists are horrendous!!!
Well i just wasnt useful at all, and i fell ill during it too :frown:
Yes that is the best thing to focus on!
Thankyou!


Have you thought about approaching a mental health charity for talking treatments if you feel as though group therapy really isn't for you? :smile:
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
Well done Airmed! SOOOO proud of you :love: :king1: :awesome:


Oh, I missed this! :facepalm: Thank you so much! :love: :jumphug:
Original post by Deyesy

Honestly it's okay :redface: You're aware of them and you've said you'll try and keep them in mind which is what matters ^^ Hope you're feeling abit better today :smile:

Cheers! I feel a little better now and managed to drag myself out for a run which is always a good thing :smile:
ED TW

Spoiler

I don't think I've introduced myself here properly despite posting a bit past few days so I'll briefly introduce myself.

Hello I'm Anxious Anon (Anon #17) and I'm a year 13 science student. I like listening to music, mainly alternative rock, and I had loads of other hobbies but I lost interest a few years ago :frown:

I've had MH issues for a long time but I've never actually been to the doctor to get diagnosed with anything. I probably should tbh! I'm currently seeing a psychologist but that wasn't through a GP either. I have a history of childhood trauma and my main issues are various anxiety symptoms and SH, with some common symptoms of other mental illnesses but I don't like to use the terms without proper diagnosis so I'll leave them out!

I like chatting about different things online (I'm quite the opposite irl though lol) so yeah I hope to get to know you all. :smile:
And I'm sorry in advance for any emotional rant and my forgetfulness with guidelines and signing my posts with the oh-so-creative-name :tongue:

Anxious Anon